1. Introduction
Thank you for choosing the OSTBA 50-Cup Commercial Coffee Urn, Model ZJ-100-A. This manual provides essential information for the safe and efficient use, setup, operation, and maintenance of your new coffee urn. Please read these instructions thoroughly before first use and retain them for future reference.
This commercial-grade coffee urn is designed for brewing and dispensing coffee or hot water for various settings, including home, office, catering, and events. Its 950W heating system and double-wall stainless steel construction ensure fast brewing and excellent heat retention.
2. Important Safety Instructions
When using electrical appliances, basic safety precautions should always be followed to reduce the risk of fire, electric shock, and injury to persons, including the following:
- Read all instructions before operating the appliance.
- Do not touch hot surfaces. Use handles and knobs.
- To protect against electrical shock, do not immerse cord, plugs, or the appliance in water or other liquid.
- Close supervision is necessary when any appliance is used by or near children.
- Unplug from outlet when not in use and before cleaning. Allow to cool before putting on or taking off parts, and before cleaning the appliance.
- Do not operate any appliance with a damaged cord or plug, or after the appliance malfunctions or has been damaged in any manner. Contact customer service for examination, repair, or adjustment.
- The use of accessory attachments not recommended by the appliance manufacturer may result in fire, electric shock, or injury to persons.
- Do not use outdoors.
- Do not let cord hang over edge of table or counter, or touch hot surfaces.
- Do not place on or near a hot gas or electric burner, or in a heated oven.
- Always attach plug to appliance first, then plug cord into the wall outlet. To disconnect, turn any control to "off," then remove plug from wall outlet.
- Do not use appliance for other than intended use.
- Ensure the unit is placed on a stable, level, heat-resistant surface during operation.
- The coffee urn features overheat protection. If the unit stops heating, press the reset lever located on the bottom of the unit.
- The double-wall construction and cool-touch handles are designed for safety, but caution should always be exercised when handling hot liquids.
- Always ensure the twist-lock lid is securely fastened during operation to prevent spills.
3. Product Overview
The OSTBA 50-Cup Commercial Coffee Urn is a robust and efficient appliance designed for high-volume beverage service. It features a durable stainless steel construction and a powerful heating element for quick brewing.
3.1 Key Features
- Capacity: 50-cup (8.3L / 280 oz) maximum water level, 10L / 372 oz maximum capacity.
- Fast Brewing: 950W heating system brews 50 cups in approximately 40-45 minutes.
- Keep Warm Function: Automatically maintains optimal serving temperature (192°F-203°F / 89°C-95°C) for up to 12 hours after brewing.
- Durable Construction: Double-wall design with 304 food-grade stainless steel interior and 430 brushed stainless steel exterior for enhanced durability, insulation, and safety.
- Percolator Brewing System: Optimized pump tube and stainless steel filter basket ensure rich, bold flavor extraction without the need for paper filters.
- User-Friendly Design: Features cool-touch handles, a clear water level gauge, a removable drip tray, and a secure twist-lock lid.
- Safety Features: Includes overheat protection and a no-drip faucet.
3.2 Components Included
- Coffee Urn Base Unit
- Removable Drip Tray
- Removable Filter Basket
- Stem for Filter Basket
- Twist-Lock Lid Cover

Figure 1: Included accessories: removable filter basket, stem, and twist-lock lid.

Figure 2: Double-layer stainless steel construction for enhanced insulation and durability.
4. Setup
4.1 Initial Cleaning
- Before first use, wash the removable filter basket, stem, and lid in warm, soapy water. Rinse thoroughly and dry.
- Wipe the interior and exterior of the urn with a damp cloth. Do not immerse the main unit in water.
- For optimal performance and to remove any manufacturing residues, it is recommended to run a cycle with plain water before brewing coffee. Fill the urn with water to the maximum level, place the filter basket and stem, secure the lid, and turn it on. Let it complete a full cycle, then discard the water.
4.2 Assembly
- Place the coffee urn on a stable, level, and heat-resistant surface.
- Insert the stem into the center hole at the bottom of the urn.
- Place the removable filter basket over the stem, ensuring it sits securely.
- Attach the removable drip tray to the base of the urn, beneath the faucet.
Video 1: Demonstrates the assembly of the OSTBA Commercial Coffee Urn, including placing the stem and filter basket.
5. Operating Instructions
5.1 Brewing Coffee
- Fill with Water: Remove the lid and filter basket. Fill the urn with cold water to the desired level, observing the clear water level gauge. Do not exceed the maximum water level (8.3L / 280 oz).
- Add Coffee Grounds: Place the stem and filter basket back into the urn. Add coarse-ground coffee to the filter basket. The percolator system does not require paper filters. Refer to the coffee-to-water ratio guidelines for desired strength (e.g., 1/2 cup of coffee grounds per 8 cups of water, adjust to taste).
- Secure Lid: Place the twist-lock lid securely on the urn and rotate to lock it in place.
- Plug In and Brew: Plug the power cord into a standard electrical outlet. Flip the power switch to the 'ON' position. The red 'Heating' indicator light will illuminate, indicating that the brewing process has begun.
- Brewing Time: The urn will brew 50 cups in approximately 40-45 minutes. During brewing, water will percolate up through the stem and over the coffee grounds.
- Keep Warm: Once brewing is complete, the red 'Heating' light will turn off, and the orange 'Keep Warm' light will illuminate. The urn will automatically switch to Keep Warm mode, maintaining the coffee at an ideal serving temperature for up to 12 hours.

Figure 3: The coffee urn in operation, brewing up to 50 cups.
Video 2: Illustrates the percolator brewing process for rich coffee flavor.
5.2 Dispensing Coffee/Hot Water
To dispense, simply press the lever on the faucet. Release the lever to stop the flow. The removable drip tray will catch any small drips.

Figure 4: Dispensing coffee from the urn's faucet.
6. Maintenance and Cleaning
Regular cleaning ensures optimal performance and extends the life of your coffee urn.
- Unplug and Cool: Always unplug the urn from the power outlet and allow it to cool completely before cleaning.
- Remove Components: Remove the lid, filter basket, stem, and drip tray.
- Wash Removable Parts: Wash the filter basket, stem, lid, and drip tray in warm, soapy water. Rinse thoroughly and dry. These parts are dishwasher safe.
- Clean Interior: Wipe the interior of the urn with a damp cloth to remove any coffee residue. For stubborn stains, use a soft brush and mild detergent. Rinse the interior by filling with clean water and draining through the faucet several times.
- Clean Exterior: Wipe the exterior with a damp cloth. Do not use abrasive cleaners or scouring pads, as they may scratch the stainless steel finish.
- Faucet Cleaning: Periodically clean the faucet by running warm, soapy water through it.
- Prevent Buildup: Clean coffee residue or buildup from the bottom interior regularly, as excessive buildup may activate the overheat protection system.
- Descaling: Over time, mineral deposits may accumulate. Descale the urn every 3-6 months, or more frequently in hard water areas. Use a commercial descaling solution or a mixture of white vinegar and water. Follow the descaling product's instructions or fill the urn with a 1:1 solution of white vinegar and water, run a brew cycle, let it sit for an hour, then drain and rinse thoroughly with several cycles of clean water.

Figure 5: Cleaning the removable filter basket and drip tray.
7. Troubleshooting
| Problem | Possible Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Urn does not heat or brew. | Not plugged in; power switch off; overheat protection activated; faulty outlet. | Ensure unit is plugged in and power switch is ON. Press the reset lever located on the bottom of the unit. Check the power outlet. |
| Coffee is too weak. | Not enough coffee grounds; grounds too coarse; brewing cycle interrupted. | Increase amount of coffee grounds. Use medium-coarse grounds. Ensure full brewing cycle completes. |
| Coffee is too strong/bitter. | Too many coffee grounds; grounds too fine; over-extraction. | Reduce amount of coffee grounds. Use coarse grounds. Do not let coffee sit on 'Keep Warm' for excessive periods. |
| Leaking from faucet. | Faucet not properly closed; seal worn or damaged. | Ensure faucet lever is fully released. If problem persists, contact customer support for replacement parts. |
| Slow brewing. | Mineral buildup (scaling). | Descale the urn as per maintenance instructions. |
| Coffee residue/buildup at bottom. | Infrequent cleaning. | Clean the bottom interior regularly to prevent buildup and activation of overheat protection. |
8. Specifications
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Brand | OSTBA |
| Model Number | ZJ-100-A |
| Capacity | 50 cups (8.3L / 280 oz max water level, 10L / 372 oz max capacity) |
| Power | 950W |
| Material | 304 Stainless Steel (Inner Tank), 430 Stainless Steel (Outer Shell) |
| Color | Silver |
| Special Features | Ergonomic Handle, Vacuum Insulated, Overheat Protection, Keep Warm Function |
| Included Components | Removable Drip Tray, Removable Filter Basket, Stem for Basket, Twist-Lock Lid cover |
| Item Dimensions (W x H) | 11.54"W x 22.44"H (approx. 29.3cm W x 57cm H) |
9. Warranty and Support
For warranty information, please refer to the documentation included with your purchase or contact the retailer where the product was acquired. For product support, spare parts, or further inquiries, please visit the official OSTBA store or contact their customer service department.
You can find more information and contact details on the OSTBA Brand Store.